Today was a wonderful day. I spent about an hour in the sky flying above the cliffs of Cape Kidnappers in a 1 passenger helicopter (with an engine about the size of a lawnmower!).

When you visit a course such as Cape Kidnappers which is literally built on the edge of the cliff it is best represented from the air. This journey started the day before when I spoke to Hawkes Bay Helicopters and confirmed a flight for the following morning. We were in Auckland having just completed a corporate golf day for one of our clients and we were heading down to the Napier/Hastings region where Cape Kidnappers is located.

The weather forecast showed it was going to be fine with clear skies and no sign of rain. I gave my credit card (Ouch!! at $700 per hour you really want the weather to work in your favour) and waited for the next day. I started off bright and early at around 5:45am for the 20 minute drive to Cape Kidnappers. Everything was set....that was until I arrived at the front gate of Cape Kidnappers and it was padlocked shut! I tried the emergency intercom but no go here. Part of Cape Kidnappers is a working cattle farm so after numerous unsuccessful attempts to contact the golf course I tried the cattle farm. Thankfully I got hold of one of the workers who kindly came down and opened up for me.

A quick drive up the longest driveway you are ever likely to see (it takes 10 minutes to get from bottom to top...yes 10 minutes) and I arrived at the helipad alongside the 2nd hole. The chopper was there waiting for me and after a quick instructional we were just about to go. I had a seatbelt harness on and then the pilot suggested he put some duct tape around the seatbelt to provide some extra safety. Not very reassuring I can tell you.